Here are some quick tips for ways to keep Fido and Felix's teeth pearly white WITHOUT a trip to the vet...
Let your dog chew for at least 20 minutes a day. This will massage his gums and clean his teeth by scraping off the tartar. Chewing also reduces his stress level, relieves boredom and gives him an appropriate outlet for his natural need to chew. Good examples of chews would be raw bones, antlers, Himalayan chews and Zuke's bones. You could also let him chew on an extreme Kong toy. Avoid rawhide, as these are very difficult for dogs to digest. Also, kibble does not adequately clean teeth, so make sure they have something to chew on.
Use plaque reducing gels, like Tropiclean. Works fast and naturally to help reduce plaque and tartar on dogs and cats -- no toothbrush required. A proprietary blend of natural, holistic ingredients produce a healthy oral environment. Kills the germs that cause bad breath, plaque and gingivitis. Soothes minor gum irritations.
Brush your pet's teeth! ASPCA gives some steps for getting your pet used to getting his teeth brushed and how to brush properly:
First get your dog used to the idea of having her teeth brushed. Massage her lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then move on to her teeth and gums.
When your pooch seems comfortable being touched this way, put a little bit of dog-formulated toothpaste on her lips to get her used to the taste.
Next, introduce a toothbrush designed especially for dogs—it should be smaller than a human toothbrush and have softer bristles.
Finally, apply the toothpaste to her teeth for a gentle brushing, as in step 7.
A veterinary exam beforehand may be helpful to find out if your dog’s gums are inflamed. If your dog has mild gingivitis, brushing too hard can hurt her gums. Brushing Technique
Yes, there is actually a technique! Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and clean in small, circular motions. Work on one area of your dog’s mouth at a time, lifting her lip as necessary. The side of the tooth that touches the cheek usually has the most tartar, and giving a final downward stroke can help to remove it. If your dog resists having the inner surfaces of her teeth cleaned, don’t fight it—only a small amount of tartar accumulates there. Once you get the technique down, go for a brushing two or three times a week.
Enjoy 15% off any one dental health item during the month of February: Zuke's bones, Himalayan chews, Tropiclean gel, Paragon edible toothbrush, or Spot's chew. Just mention you saw the newsletter!
Yappy Hour
Our next Yappy hour will be held at the Refinery on Sunday, February 12th from 4-7pm on the deck. It will be benefitting the Labrador Retriever rescue of Florida, so bring a few bucks to donate if you can, as they are completely volunteer-based.
The Refinery offers craft beers, great wine, and excellent food!
Sweet Treat
Spend $50 at Health Mutt and mention this blog post to recieve a free iced cookie in the month of February! 1 per family, while supplies last
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